I had chosen Manny’s for a company party. We had a group of 6 and I specifically wanted the booth in picture number 17 on their website which would be conducive to conversation, but also close to the bar so we could be in a lively part of the establishment. When I made the reservation I just had a feeling the rather curt hostess on the phone did not mark down that I wanted “the circle booth at the end of the bar in picture 17 on the website”. By the way, I had looked for a high quality restaurant with a circle booth which is why I had chosen Manny’s in the first place.\r
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I called two days later and my suspicion was correct, there was no note of my request and this hostess agrees to note it. I still had a bad feeling about it so I called a third time. (Also, unknown to me until after the party, my husband had also called.) I show up to Manny’s with our party and the hostess had no note of my requesting this booth. I calmly explained the situation and my dismay over this total lack of communication to which she replied that they don’t reserve exact tables in the bar area! Why would that not have been made known to us in our FOUR phone calls?! Because I would have opted for a restaurant that accommodates special requests of people willing to pay $400 and up for dinner!\r
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The hostess did not listen to which table I was talking about- then moves people from the table our waiter Tony called the Hot Tub and put us in this gigantic corner booth where we were farther apart from one another than if we were at a table and chairs in the other part of the restaurant. Totally annoyed and hungry, embarrassed to move a table of people from the table we weren’t even wanting anyway we just relented. I do have to say the hostess was kind and rational in her behavior despite not hearing me in my request. Having experience in the restaurant industry and having written reviews I also mentioned I expected something comped for this as this is ridiculous and they ended up coming a desert!? Are you kidding?\r
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Tony our waiter was a fabulous veteran in the industry you can tell. He knew how to calm down a frustrated group and I give Manny’s that prop for sure. We did find it highly inappropriate and offensive for him to comment on one person in our party’s alcohol consumption IN A BAR part of their restaurant when they were in no way behaving inappropriately- are you kidding? But basically I am appalled at the entire experience as this was a major celebration for my husband’s company, his partners and their wives. We expected more from a “Minneapolis Institution” and our requests were by no means irrational nor was our response and our frustration. I have tried to contact a manager there via a contact us link on their website, but after searching have found none. So I write this review to tell you that if you want a special event and a special place to celebrate, you just can’t bank on their listening to you or being concerned about your needs. Never again will I pay $50+ for a meal only to be treated so poorly. Manny’s- you must consider your hostesses as I see now why so many reviews on the net complain about them.\r
Pros: Pretty good food- not mind blowing
Cons: Hostesses, Lack of Communication
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